Description
Wonderful early war carte view of a very well dressed, Hiram Couch of the 3rd New York Infantry. Hiram would be commissioned a lieutenant with the regiment in mid May of 1861. A subsequent promotion to captain would follow in May, 1863. He would be severely wounded in the left arm on May 16, 1864 at Drewry’s Bluff, which would result in the amputation of the limb. Following a 7-month recovery in a Union hospital, Hiram would recieve a medical discharge in December, 1864. This view shows Hiram splendidly dressed in a well tailored and new frock while sporting a pair of white dress gloves. A McDowell pattern cap is worn with a brass infantry horn pinned to the front along with the numeral “3”. Additionally, a script “NY” waist belt is worn with a small holstered revolver on the belt. Standing on the pedestal at his side is a copy of William Gilham’s “Manual of Instruction for Volunteers and Militia”. While the view of Hiram is not back marked, a second blank card stock accompanies the image by Appleton & Co of New York. Across the bottom of that card is written the date “Feby 11th, 1861” in period ink. If you flip that card over, it is dated a second time “May 22, 1861”, placing the date just 8 days after his commission into the 3rd New York. Superb view
